Three Oudtshoorn High school boys, who have been charged with statutory rape after allegedly filming a sex tape with a 15-year-old girl, are continuing to attend school.
The boys – aged 16,17 and 18 – were arrested on Friday and released into their parents’ custody. Their arrest came after the 15-year-old girl’s parents lodged a complaint with the police.
Bronagh Casey, spokeswoman for MEC Donald Grant, said the school’s governing body would need to decide whether it suspended the pupils: “The school is about to embark on a disciplinary process.”
She explained that pupils were suspended before a disciplinary hearing only in specific cases as a precautionary measure – if, for instance, the school believed they were a threat to other pupils.
“The three male pupils are attending school. One of the pupils is in Grade 12 and will be writing his NSC (final matric exams).”
Casey added that further action by the Western Cape Education Department would depend on the outcome of the disciplinary process.
“The department and the MEC are following the case carefully. The law, in terms of criminal proceedings and the disciplinary process in the SA Schools Act, must take its course. Our schools will work with all concerned to deal with the issues raised. The department’s role is education and our Life Orientation curriculum deals with sex and sexuality at appropriate levels for each age group.”
Police spokesman Captain Louis Visser said the sex video was recorded on the school premises: “The sex video was recorded and had taken place (at) the school dormitory and at the De Jager Sports complex.”
The incidents allegedly happened on two occasions in May and September this year.
“The pupils are in their parents’ custody – we can’t take any statements without their parents (being) present.
“They were supposed to appear in court yesterday, but one of the pupils was writing his exams,” he said.
The case has been postponed to December.
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